The average private school in California was founded around 1973 (2025).
The oldest private school in California is St. Victor Elementary School, founded in 1108.
Year Founded Range: 1108
1883
Avg. Year Founded: 1845
Oldest Private Schools in California (2025)
School
Founding Date
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
St. Victor Elementary School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1108
Grades: PK-8
3150 Sierra Rd
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 251-1740
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 251-1740
Rank: #22.
Founding Date: 1850
Grades: K-12
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Bellarmine College Preparatory![Bellarmine College Preparatory Photo]( "Bellarmine College Preparatory Photo")
All-boys (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
960 W Hedding St
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 294-9224
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 294-9224
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Edgewood Center For Children & Families
Special Education School
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 5-12
1801 Vicente St
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 681-3211
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 681-3211
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Notre Dame High School
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
1540 Ralston Ave
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 595-1913
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 595-1913
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Notre Dame High School![Notre Dame High School Photo - Notre Dame graduates matriculate to impressive universities. Our rigorous curriculum, co-curricular programs and personalized counseling prepare students for success in college and beyond.]( "Notre Dame High School Photo - Notre Dame graduates matriculate to impressive universities. Our rigorous curriculum, co-curricular programs and personalized counseling prepare students for success in college and beyond.")
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
596 S 2nd St
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1113
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1113
Rank: #77.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory![Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Photo - The Pavilion is the home court for the Fightin' Irish basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. On game days, up to 1,500 fans can be heard cheering for SHC student-athletes. The Pavilion also serves as a wonderful venue for school assemblies, rallies and prayer services.]( "Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Photo - The Pavilion is the home court for the Fightin' Irish basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. On game days, up to 1,500 fans can be heard cheering for SHC student-athletes. The Pavilion also serves as a wonderful venue for school assemblies, rallies and prayer services.")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1852
Grades: 9-12
1055 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-6626
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-6626
Rank: #88.
St. Dominic Elementary School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1854
Grades: K-8
935 E 5th St
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 745-1266
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 745-1266
Rank: #99.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1855
Grades: 6-12
2001 37th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 731-7500
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 731-7500
Rank: #1010.
St. Clare School![St. Clare School Photo - Saint Clare School ~ Open Enrollment]( "St. Clare School Photo - Saint Clare School ~ Open Enrollment")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1856
Grades: PK-8
750 Washington St
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 246-6797
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 246-6797
Rank: #1111.
Mount St. Marys Academy
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1859
Grades: K-8
400 S Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Founding Date: 1861
Grades: PK-6
9001 Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 535-1144
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 535-1144
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Founding Date: 1861
Grades: 9-12
4660 Harbord Drive
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 450-1110
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 450-1110
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Temple Emanuel-el Pre School
Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
Founding Date: 1861
Grades: NS-PK
1010 University Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 293-8660
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 293-8660
Rank: #1515.
Founding Date: 1862
Grades: PK-8
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
The Hamlin School
All-girls
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: K-8
2120 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-0300
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-0300
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: 9-12
1294 Albina Ave
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Rank: #1818.
Founding Date: 1865
Grades: 9-12
1901 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 381-5121
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 381-5121
Rank: #1919.
St. Vincent Ferrer School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1868
Grades: K-8
420 Florida St
Vallejo, CA 94590
(707) 642-4311
Vallejo, CA 94590
(707) 642-4311
Rank: #2020.
Founding Date: 1871
Grades: PK-8
7900 Church St
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-2827
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-2827
Rank: #2121.
Founding Date: 1874
Grades: 9-12
755 Ocean Ave
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 337-9990
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 337-9990
Rank: #2222.
Founding Date: 1875
Grades: PK-8
5165 Imperial Ave
San Diego, CA 92114
(619) 264-0109
San Diego, CA 92114
(619) 264-0109
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Christian Brothers High School![Christian Brothers High School Photo]( "Christian Brothers High School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
4315 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 733-3600
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 733-3600
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
682 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Old Mission School![Old Mission School Photo - Welcome to Old Mission School]( "Old Mission School Photo - Welcome to Old Mission School")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: PK-8
761 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Saint Mary's High School![Saint Mary's High School Photo]( "Saint Mary's High School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
5648 N. El Dorado St.
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 957-3340
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 957-3340
Rank: #2727.
St. Anthony Catholic School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1877
Grades: K-8
1500 E 15th St
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 534-3334
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 534-3334
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Children's Ark Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
Founding Date: 1878
Grades: NS
215 N Locust
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 732-8627
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 732-8627
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Founding Date: 1878
Grades: K-8
1266 Florida St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-8662
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-8662
Rank: #3030.
Ursuline High School
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1880
Grades: 9-12
90 Ursuline Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 524-1130
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 524-1130
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
St. Joseph Elementary School![St. Joseph Elementary School Photo]( "St. Joseph Elementary School Photo")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: PK-8
1910 San Antonio Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-4456
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-4456
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School![Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Photo - Congratulations SJND graduates!]( "Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Photo - Congratulations SJND graduates!")
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: 9-12
1011 Chestnut Street
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-1526
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-1526
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace![Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Photo - Established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP has been educating the next generation of women leaders and innovators for more than 134 years.]( "Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Photo - Established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP has been educating the next generation of women leaders and innovators for more than 134 years.")
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1882
Grades: 9-12
4860 Oregon Street
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 297-2266
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 297-2266
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Childrens Home Of Stockton
Special Education School
Founding Date: 1882
Grades: 1-12
430 N Pilgrim St
Stockton, CA 95205
(209) 466-0853
Stockton, CA 95205
(209) 466-0853
Rank: #35 - 3735. - 37.
Ica Cristo Rey
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1883
Grades: 9-12
3625 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2052
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2052
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 2,589 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California average private schools founding year?
The California average private schools founding year is 1973 for 2025.
What are the private schools with oldest founding year in California?
The top ranked private schools in California include St. Victor Elementary School, San Domenico School and Bellarmine College Preparatory.
What is private high school and private elementary school with the oldest founding year in California?
The private high school with the oldest founding year in California is San Domenico School, with a year of 1850. The private elementary school with the oldest founding year is St. Victor Elementary School, with a year of 1108.
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